Black Country News: Helping out deaf people; SANDWELL: Council aiming to improve its services.Byline: By Steve Johnson Steve Johnson is the name of:
DEAF people This is an incomplete list of notable deaf people. Important historical figures in deaf history and culture The idea that a person who was deaf could achieve a notable or distinguished status was not common until the latter half of the 18th century, when Abbé Charles-Michel de across Sandwell are being given the chance to take part in a new investigation. Sandwell Council watchdogs aim to study issues and concerns of interest to them in the hope of improving services to meet their needs. The investigation has been set up by the council's equality and diversity scrutiny panel. Members are now looking at a variety of issues which impact upon the deaf, including education, neonatal neonatal /neo·na·tal/ (ne?o-nat´'l) pertaining to the first four weeks after birth. ne·o·na·tal adj. Of or relating to the first 28 days of an infant's life. screening and mental health services health services Managed care The benefits covered under a health contract . They will also study services for the black and ethnic minority communities, as well as involving the Royal National Institute for the Deaf. Coun Mrs Julie Webb, chair of the panel, said: "This is an important review for the borough. "There are about 450 people in Sandwell who were born severely or profoundly deaf and who tend to use sign language. "Our review will focus on them, although there are up to 40,000 people in the borough with some degree of deafness or hearing loss. "It is hoped that the findings and recommendations we come up with will also benefit this wider group." Coun Mrs Webb added: "We aim to conclude the review by about March. "We will make recommendations to relevant agencies to ensure the development of services which are appropriate and responsive to the needs of the deaf." People wanting further information on the panel's work or how to get involved are urged to contact the scrutiny unit, based at the Council House in Oldbury. They can also do so via "Typetalk-friendly" phone, 0121-569-3160, fax 0121 5693134 or by email, scrutinyunit@sandwell.gov.uk |
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